Welcome to Windhoek

The small, Germanic capital of the country, Windhoek is an
attractive city situated in the Central Highlands and surrounded by
hills and mountains, occupying the geographical and economic heart
of Namibia.

The city centre is characterised by historic German colonial
architecture and imposing modern structures. Dominating the skyline
is the striking German Lutheran church, Christuskirche, a mixture
of Art Nouveau and neo-Gothic design, and the Titenpalast, or 'Ink
Palace', the parliament building from where the sparsely populated
country is governed. The railway station is a Cape Dutch edifice
dating back to 1912 and Independence Avenue is a pleasant
tree-lined place with fountains and walkways providing a relaxing
ambience among the modern buildings of the central business
district. The women of the Herero tribe, cattle herders of the
region, are very distinctive with their voluminous Victorian-style
dresses and colourful headgear.

The German influence is not only apparent in the architecture
and colonial style buildings, but is evident in the food and
locally-brewed beer. Polony and sauerkraut are available on the
menu among local dishes, including seafood from the west coast and
venison or game steaks from the hinterland.

Climate

Windhoek has a semi-desert climate, with very hot summers and
mild winters. Temperatures tend to drop at night. Average
temperatures in winter (June to August) range from 43°F (6°C) to
70°F (21°C). Nights are cold but temperatures rarely dip below 32°F
(0°C). The most popular time to travel to Windhoek is between March
and October, in particular April to June, when rainfall is lowest
and temperatures are mild. On average, Namibia receives about 300
days sunshine a year, and drought occurs roughly every ten years or
so.

Getting Around

The city centre is compact and easy to negotiate on foot. Taxis
are available and can be ordered by phone; minibus taxis also
operate in the city, although drivers tend to be aggressive and
erratic. Do not get into an empty minibus, and avoid travelling in
one at night. Other than in rush hour, the traffic in Windhoek is
not too heavy and it is relatively easy to make one's way around by
car, particularly if you intend exploring outside of the city. The
train station is situated in the city centre and TransNamib offers
routes within Namibia, as does the tourist train, Desert
Express.

Language

English is the official language, but many people also
speak Afrikaans and German. There are also several indigenous
languages spoken, mainly in the rural areas.

Money

The official currency is the Namibian Dollar (NAD) divided into
100 cents. Its value is equal to the South African Rand, which is
also accepted as legal currency in Namibia. Major credit cards are
accepted. Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged
at any bank or bureau de change, though cash is more expensive to
exchange than travellers cheques. ATMs are available in larger
towns only.

Situated on a high point overlooking the CBD, the Schutztruppe
Fort served as the German colonial powers' military headquarters
until 1915 and today houses the state museum. It foundaiton stone
was laid in 1890 making this one of the oldest buildings in
Windhoek and a singificant national monument. The museum's
exhibition informs visitors of Namibia's history from its san
(bushmen) origins to German occupation in 1884 and the resulting
struggle for independence.

The Brandberg massif is famous for its thousands of rock
paintings and engravings, most notably the 'White Lady', which is
estimated to be about 2,000 years old. Guides accompany visitors on
an hour walk to the Tsisab Ravine where the famous painting is
located on an overhang under a shelter, surrounded by a variety of
painted animal forms. Although faded over the years, the trip to
see it is well worth the effort. Contrary to early belief, the
painting is not actually of a white lady, but is the image of a
male, the white colour of the body representing body paint, which
suggests it is a medicine man. Since it was discovered in 1955,
there has been a great deal of controversy over the meaning and
origin of the painting. Brandberg's highest peak is Königstein, and
at 8,550 feet (2,606m) it is the highest mountain in Namibia,
reachable on an organised three-day hike.

The church is a prominent landmark in Windhoek's historic centre
that was built in 1910 to accommodate the Lutheran congregation in
the city. Today the sandstone church is a national monument topped
by its 79-foot (24m) spire. Its gothic revival facade, made unique
by Art Nouveau elements, is made up of quartz sandstone, while the
portal and altar are Italian marble. Three bronze bells in the
tower bear the inscriptions "Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe" (Glory to
God in the highest), "Friede auf Erden" (Peace on earth), and "Den
Menschen ein Wohlgefallen" (Goodwill towards men). An interesting
fact about the church is that the stained glass windows, a gift
from Emperor Wilhelm II, were installed backwards until the late
1990s when a tourist noticed the error.

The natural beauty of the Spitzkoppe, or Spitzkop, is
spectacular; an island of bald granite peaks situated in an endless
grassy plain that is visible for miles around. Groot Spitzkop is
often referred to as the 'Matterhorn of Africa' because of its
similarity in shape, and it is one of Namibia's most famous
mountains. Nearby are the Little Spitzkoppe and the Pontok
Mountains. The area is a paradise for climbers, although only those
with a lot of experience and the correct equipment should attempt
to climb the Spitzkoppe itself. The enormous granite rocks were
formed hundreds of millions of years ago due to volcanic activity
and subsequent erosion has resulted in fascinating rock formations
and memorable outlines, which should not go unexplored. The area is
also renowned for its breathtaking sunrises that turn the rocks
from pale orange to flaming gold.

Translated as 'Uncertain Fountain', Twyfelfontein was so named
by a farmer who doubted the ability of the spring to sustain his
cattle for a long time. The spring is still there, but
Twyfelfontein is famous for its prehistoric rock paintings and
engravings rather than its water supply. It boasts the largest
concentration of ancient rock art in the country (about 2,500
designs), and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
petroglyphs primarily depict game animals such as giraffe,
antelope, elephant and lion, and are believed to be around 3,000
years old. Visitors are no longer allowed to enter the site without
a guide, due to previous vandalism. The uniquely-designed visitor
information centre features an exhibition, kiosk and souvenir shop.
There are a few other stunning sights in the area around
Twyfelfontein, including a unique rock formation called the Organ
Pipes, the Doros crater, and the Petrified Forest.

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